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| <title>SCENE I. Rome. A public place. | |
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| <tr><td class="play" align="center">The Tragedy of Coriolanus | |
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| | <A href="/Shakespeare/coriolanus/">Coriolanus</A> | |
| | Act 2, Scene 1 | |
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| <H3>SCENE I. Rome. A public place.</h3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=2>Good or bad?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=3>Not according to the prayer of the people, for they</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>love not Marcius.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=5>Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=6>Pray you, who does the wolf love?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=7>The lamb.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=8>Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>noble Marcius.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=10>He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=11>He's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>Both</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=13>Well, sir.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=14>In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>have not in abundance?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=16>He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=17>Especially in pride.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=18>And topping all others in boasting.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=19>This is strange now: do you two know how you are</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=21>right-hand file? do you?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>Both</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=22>Why, how are we censured?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=23>Because you talk of pride now,--will you not be angry?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>Both</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=24>Well, well, sir, well.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=25>Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=26>occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=27>give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=28>your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=29>pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>being proud?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=31>We do it not alone, sir.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=32>I know you can do very little alone; for your helps</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=33>are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>single: your abilities are too infant-like for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=36>could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=37>and make but an interior survey of your good selves!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=38>O that you could!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=39>What then, sir?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=40>Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=42>any in Rome.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=43>Menenius, you are known well enough too.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=44>I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=45>loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=46>Tiber in't; said to be something imperfect in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=47>favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=48>upon too trivial motion; one that converses more</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=49>with the buttock of the night than with the forehead</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=50>of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=51>malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=52>you are--I cannot call you Lycurguses--if the drink</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=54>crooked face at it. I can't say your worships have</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=56>compound with the major part of your syllables: and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=57>though I must be content to bear with those that say</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=58>you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=59>tell you you have good faces. If you see this in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=60>the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>well enough too? what barm can your bisson</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>known well enough too?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=64>Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=65>You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=66>are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=68>cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>second day of audience. When you are hearing a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=71>matter between party and party, if you chance to be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=72>pinched with the colic, you make faces like</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=73>mummers; set up the bloody flag against all</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=74>patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>by your hearing: all the peace you make in their</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=77>cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=78>a pair of strange ones.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=79>Come, come, you are well understood to be a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=80>perfecter giber for the table than a necessary</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=81>bencher in the Capitol.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=82>Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=83>encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=84>you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=85>wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=86>so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack-</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=88>saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=89>who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=90>since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=92>your worships: more of your conversation would</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=93>infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=94>plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and VALERIA</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=95>How now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=96>were she earthly, no nobler,--whither do you follow</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=97>your eyes so fast?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=98>Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=99>the love of Juno, let's go.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>Ha! Marcius coming home!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=101>Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=102>approbation.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=103>Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=104>Marcius coming home!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>VIRGILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=105>Nay,'tis true.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=106>Look, here's a letter from him: the state hath</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>another, his wife another; and, I think, there's one</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>at home for you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=109>I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>me!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>VIRGILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=111>Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw't.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=112>A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=113>years' health; in which time I will make a lip at</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=114>the physician: the most sovereign prescription in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=115>Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>VIRGILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=118>O, no, no, no.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=119>O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for't.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=120>So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a'</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=121>victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=122>On's brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=123>with the oaken garland.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=124>Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=125>Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=126>Aufidius got off.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=127>And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=128>an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=129>fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=130>that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=131>Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=132>has letters from the general, wherein he gives my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=133>son the whole name of the war: he hath in this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=134>action outdone his former deeds doubly</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>VALERIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=135>In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=136>Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=137>true purchasing.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>VIRGILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=138>The gods grant them true!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=139>True! pow, wow.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=140>True! I'll be sworn they are true.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=141>Where is he wounded?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To the Tribunes</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=142>God save your good worships! Marcius is coming</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=143>home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=144>I' the shoulder and i' the left arm there will be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=145>large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=146>stand for his place. He received in the repulse of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=147>Tarquin seven hurts i' the body.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=148>One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,--there's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=149>nine that I know.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=150>He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>wounds upon him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=152>Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>A shout and flourish</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=153>Hark! the trumpets.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=154>These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=155>carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=156>Death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=157>Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS; between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>Herald</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=158>Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=159>Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>In honour follows Coriolanus.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=162>Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Flourish</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>All</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=163>Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=164>No more of this; it does offend my heart:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=165>Pray now, no more.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>COMINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=166> Look, sir, your mother!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=167>O,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>You have, I know, petition'd all the gods</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>For my prosperity!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Kneels</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=170> Nay, my good soldier, up;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=171>My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=172>By deed-achieving honour newly named,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=173>What is it?--Coriolanus must I call thee?--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=174>But O, thy wife!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=175> My gracious silence, hail!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>That weep'st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=178>Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=179>And mothers that lack sons.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=180>Now, the gods crown thee!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=181>And live you yet?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To VALERIA</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=182>O my sweet lady, pardon.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=183>I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>And welcome, general: and ye're welcome all.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>MENENIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=185>A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=187>A curse begin at very root on's heart,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=188>That is not glad to see thee! You are three</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=189>That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=190>We have some old crab-trees here</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=191>at home that will not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=192>Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=193>We call a nettle but a nettle and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=194>The faults of fools but folly.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>COMINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=195>Ever right.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196>Menenius ever, ever.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>Herald</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=197>Give way there, and go on!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=198>[To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] Your hand, and yours:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=199>Ere in our own house I do shade my head,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=200>The good patricians must be visited;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=201>From whom I have received not only greetings,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=202>But with them change of honours.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>VOLUMNIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=203>I have lived</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=204>To see inherited my very wishes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=205>And the buildings of my fancy: only</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=206>There's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=207>Our Rome will cast upon thee.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=208>Know, good mother,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=209>I had rather be their servant in my way,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>Than sway with them in theirs.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>COMINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=211>On, to the Capitol!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=212>All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=214>Into a rapture lets her baby cry</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=215>While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=216>Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=217>Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=218>Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=219>With variable complexions, all agreeing</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=221>Do press among the popular throngs and puff</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=222>To win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=223>Commit the war of white and damask in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=224>Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=225>Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=226>As if that whatsoever god who leads him</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>Were slily crept into his human powers</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>And gave him graceful posture.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=229>On the sudden,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>I warrant him consul.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=231>Then our office may,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=232>During his power, go sleep.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=233>He cannot temperately transport his honours</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>From where he should begin and end, but will</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>Lose those he hath won.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=236>In that there's comfort.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=237>Doubt not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>The commoners, for whom we stand, but they</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>Upon their ancient malice will forget</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=240>With the least cause these his new honours, which</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>That he will give them make I as little question</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>As he is proud to do't.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=243>I heard him swear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=244>Were he to stand for consul, never would he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=245>Appear i' the market-place nor on him put</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=246>The napless vesture of humility;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=247>Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=248>To the people, beg their stinking breaths.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=249>'Tis right.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=250>It was his word: O, he would miss it rather</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>And the desire of the nobles.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=253>I wish no better</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=254>Than have him hold that purpose and to put it</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=255>In execution.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech86><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=256>'Tis most like he will.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech87><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=257>It shall be to him then as our good wills,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=258>A sure destruction.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech88><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=259>So it must fall out</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=260>To him or our authorities. For an end,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=261>We must suggest the people in what hatred</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=262>He still hath held them; that to's power he would</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=264>Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=265>In human action and capacity,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>Of no more soul nor fitness for the world</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>Than camels in the war, who have their provand</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=268>Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>For sinking under them.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech89><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=270>This, as you say, suggested</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>At some time when his soaring insolence</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=272>Shall touch the people--which time shall not want,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=273>If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=274>As to set dogs on sheep--will be his fire</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>Shall darken him for ever.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter a Messenger</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech90><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=277>What's the matter?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech91><b>Messenger</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=278>You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=279>That Marcius shall be consul:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=280>I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=281>The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=282>Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=283>Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=284>As to Jove's statue, and the commons made</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=285>A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=286>I never saw the like.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech92><b>BRUTUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=287>Let's to the Capitol;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=288>And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=289>But hearts for the event.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech93><b>SICINIUS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=290>Have with you.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
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